Elevator.



H. A. HUMPHREY. ELEVATOR APPLICATION FILED JUNE 7, 1910.

978,877. Patented Dec. 13,1910.

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ELEVATOR.

APPLIGATION FILED JUNE?. 1910.

Patented Dec. 13, 1910.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

VUNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HNRY A. HUMPHREY, OF KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR TO SAFETY ELEVATOBLOCK AND SIGNAL COMPANY, OF KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI, A CORPORATION OFMISSOURI.

nnnva'ron.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 13, 1910.

Application led June 7, 1910. Serial No. 565,574.

To all lwhom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY A. I-IUM- PHREY, a citizen of the UnitedStates, resid- .ing at Kansas City, in the county of Jackson and Stateof Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inElevators, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in elevators.

It relates particularly to elevators in which the movement of thecarkmay be controlle'd by gate locking mechanisms which ordinarilyprevent the movement of the car unless the gates are closed.

One object of my invention is to enable the car being movedindependently7 of the gate locking mechanisms, in case such rmech- Aanisms become out of repair, or for any other desired reason. A,

A further object of my invention is to provide means by which any of thegates may be unlocked in case that the elevator car becomes stalled in aposition intermediatc of any two landings.

Other novel features of my invention are hereinafter fully described andclaimed.

In the accompanying drawings illustrative of the preferred form of myinvention-Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of the circuits. F ig. 2 is aside elevation, enlarged, of a switch mechanism by means of which thegate locking devices may be operated independently of the movement ofthe car.. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal. central sectional view of what isshown in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is an end elevation of the switch shown in Figs.k2 and 3. Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view, taken on the dotted linea-b of Fig. 3.

Similar characters of reference denote similar parts.

1 denotes the elevator car, 2 an electric generator, such as a dynamo,and 3 an electric motor which is employed to operate the car 1 by themeans of a Well known mechanism, said motor being in circuit with saidgenerator 4 denotes elevator gates located at the different floors. Anysuitable electrically controlled gate locking mechanisms may be employedfor normally holding the gates in closed positions. Any suitable circuitclosing means may also be employed for controlling the motor circuitthrough the intervention of the gate locking mechanisms.

The following is a description-of a gate locking mechanism, such as Iprefer to employ z-Secured to the gate 4 is a catch 5, adapted to beengaged by a pivoted latch 6, provided with an armature 7, which isdisposed in the magnetic field of an electromagnet 8. A circuitcontroller, controlled by the armature 7, comprises preferably anarmature 9, disposed intermediate of the magnet 8 and the armature 7 andsecured to a pivoted plate 10, which carries a block of insulatingmaterial 11, to which is secured a contact 12. Normally each plate 12rests upon two contacts 13 and 14, which, as hereinafter described, arein circuit with the motor 3. At each floor is provided such a gatelocking mechanism as' has just been described. At some suitable place islocated an electromagnetically operated switch, consisting preferably ofa solenoid colnprising a winding 15 and a longitudinally movable core16, to the outer end of which is secured and supported in any desiredmanner a contact plate 17, which, when the core 16 is drawn inwardly bythe energizing of the winding 15, will strike contacts 18, 19, 2O and21. Secured to the other end of the core 16 is a horizontal rod 22, towhich is secured a block of insulating material, 23, to which is secureda contact'. plate 24 which, when the core 16 is inwardly drawn, willstrike two contacts 25 and 26 so as to close the circuit in which arelocated the magnets 8. The contacts 25 and 26 are preferably mounted ona block of insulating material 27, which is supported upon a bracket 28,which in turn is secured to the adjacent head 29 of the solenoid spool.To the other head 30 of said spool is secured a block of insulatingmaterial 31, on which are mounted the contacts 18, 19, 20 and 21. Thecontact plate 17 is preferably a ring which is secured to the inner sideof a block of insulating material 32, which is secured to the outer endof the core 16. Encircling the core 16 is a coil spring 33, one end ofwhich bears against the plate 31 and the other end of which bearsagainst the block 32. The tension of said spring is such as to normallyhold the contact plate 17 separated from the contacts 18, 19, 2O and 21.

34-denotes a contact which is made to move synchronously with the car 1by any well known mechanism. The contact 34 is in constant contact witha contact 'plate 35 and is adapted to successively strike contacts 36,37 and 38, as the car 1 passes downward from Hoor to ioor. Thearrangement of the parts is such that when the car is at a landing themovable Contact 34 will be in contact with the contact 36, 37, or 38,which corresponds with that landing.

At some suitable place is pivoted a bar 39, to which, at opposite sidesof its pivotal point are secured two armatures 40 and 41, respectivelylocated in the ields of two electroinagnets 42 and 43. Mounted on thebar 39 and insulated therefrom, are two contacts 44 and 45. The contact44 is disposed between two contacts 46 and 47. The contact 45 isdisposed between two contacts 48 and 49. Two coil springs 50, aresecured at one set of ends to the bar 30, the other set of endsbeing'secured to two pins 51 and 52, disposed at opposite sides of thebar 39. The springs 50 normally keep the contact plates 44 and 45separated from the contacts 46 and 47, and 48 and 49.

On the car 1 is pivoted a controller lever 53, adapted to be swung so asto have contact with either of two contacts 54 and 55, which are mountedon the car 1. On the car 1 is also provided a circuit closerconiprising' an ordinary push button 56, provided with the contact 57which is adapted to strike the contacts 58 and 59, a spring 60 normallyserving to prevent the contact 57 closing the circuit in which it islocated. On the car 1. is also pivoted a lever 61, carrying a contact62, which is adapted to strike a contact 63, secured to the car Hoor. Aspring 64 normally serves to swing the lever 61 to a position in whichthe contacts 62 and 63 will be separated, as shown in Fig. 1.

On the car 1 is provided a switch having two plates 65 and 66, which arerespectively pivoted to posts 67 and 68, and which have secured to theirfree ends a block of insulating material 69, to which is secured ahandle 70.

71 and 72 denote two contactsadapted to be in contact with the plates 65and 66 respectively, when the switch is in the position shown iii Fig.1.

73 and 74 are two contacts which are adapted to respectively engage theplates 65 and 66 when said plates are swung to a diametrically oppositeposition to that shown in Fig. 1.

7 5 denotes a conductor connecting the contacts 73 and 74.

76 is a conductor which connects the controller lever 53 with thecontact post 67.

77 denotes a conductor connected at one end to the contact post 68 andhaving its other end connected to one brush 78 of the generator 2. theother brush of which, de noted by 7 9, is connected by a conductor 80,with a. conductor 81, opposite ends of which are respectively connectedto the windings of the magnets 42 and 43, said windings beingrespectively connected to conductors 82 and 83, which in turn arelrespectively connected tothe contacts 54 and 55 of the car controller.@ne brush 84 of the motor 3, is connected by .i conductor 85 to thecontact 44. r1`he other brush 86 is connected by a conductor 87 to thecontact 45. The Contact 47 is connected by a conductor 88 to theconductor The contact49`is connected by a conductor 89 to the conductor88. Conductors 90 and 91 respectively connect the contacts 46 :nd 48with the conductor 77.

A conductor connects the contacts 26 and 63. A conflncior 95S connectsthe contact 62 with the conductor 77. A conductor 94 connects thecontact 25 with the conductor 77. A conductor 95 connects one end of thewinding` 'l5 with the Contact 58. The other end of the winding 15 isconnected by a conductorl 96 to one end of a resistance coil 97, theother end of which is connected by a` conductor 98 with the conductor80.`

,Conductors 99. 106 and .01 are respectively connected to the io 36. 37and 38, and to the contacts ir?. i8, and 20 respectively. The contini'21 is connected by a conductor 102 with one'cnd of a `resistance coil103. the other end of which is connected by a conductor 104 'Y i theconductor 98. The contact plate 35 is connected by a conductor 105 withont end of a resistance coil 106, the other end of which is connectedbya conductor 107, Vith the conductor 98. The conductors 99. 1W and 101are respectively connected to ci: luctors 108. 109 and 110, which inturn zu. o iespectively connected to one set of ternifnals ot thewindings of the magnets 8 on the third. secondand Erst floors. The otherset of terminals of said magnets are re )estively connected byconductors 111, 11i 113 to the conductor 92. The coi'itact 71 connectedby a conductor 114 with the tiret Hoor contact 14. The first floorcontact is connected b v a conductor 115 to the second tloor contact 14.The second Hoor contact 13 is connected by a conductor 116 with thethird floor con tact 13. The third tloor contact 14 is con nected by aconductor 117Y with the contact 72. The contact 59 is connected by a conductor 118 with the conductor 77 In the ordinary operation of my invention assuming that the lever 53 is upon the contact 54, the current fromthe generator 2 will pass as follows -from brush 7 9 through conductors8() and 81, winding of magnet 42.r conductor 82, Contact 54, lever 53,conductor 76, contact post 67., plate 65., contact 71, conductor 114.,1st Hoor contact 14, contacts 12 and 13, conductor 115, 2nd Hoorcontacts 14, 12 and 13, conductor 116, 3rd Hoor contacts 18, 12 and 14,conductor 117. contact 72. plate 66., contact post 68,

thence by conductor 77 to the brush 78 of generator 2. The magnet 42being energized will attract armature 40 and swing the bar 39 to aposition in which contacts 44 and 45 will be respectively againstcontacts 46 and 49. Current will then pass through the motor 3 by thefollowing path: from brush 79 through conductors 80, 88 and 89, contacts49 and 45, conductor 87, brush 86, motor 3, brush 84, conductor 85,contacts 44 and 46, conductors 90 and 77 and brush 78. The motor 3willthus be actuated to move the car 1 in one direction.

If the lever 53 of the car controller be moved into contact with thecontact 55, the current will travel from the generator brush 79 throughconductors 80 and 81, winding of magnet 43, conductor 83 and contact 55to lever 53. From lever 53 the current will return to the generator 2 bythe path already described. The magnet 43 being energized will attractthe armature 41, thereby swing ing the bar 39 to a position in which the4'contacts 44 and 45 will rest against contacts 47 and 48. vThe currentwill then pass through motor 3 by the following ypathz brush 79,conductors 80 and 88, contacts 44 and 47, conductor 85, brush 84, motor3, brush 86, conductor 87, contacts 45 and 48, conductors 91 and 77 andbrush 78.` The motor 3 will thus be actuated to move the car 1 in thedirection opposite to the one already described.

As the car moves upward and downward the moving contact 34 willconsecutively strike the contacts 36, 37 and 38. No effect will beproduced on the gate locking mechanism, however, unless the operator onthe car depresses lever 61, thereby closing the circuit in which arelocated the magnets 8 which actuate the gate locking mechanisms torelease the gates 4 at such times as the contact 34 is on one of thecontacts 36, 37 or 38.

Assuming that the contact 34 is on the contact 37 which corresponds tothe second floor landing, and assuming that the opera# tor is holdinglever 61 depressed, then the current from generator 2 will pass asfollowsz-from brush 79 through conductors 80, 98, 107, coil 106,conductor 105, contact plate 35, contacts 34 and 37 conductors 100 and109, winding of magnet 8 on second floor, conductors 112 and 92,contacts 63 and 62, conductors 93 and 77 and brush 78 of generator 2.The second floor magnet 8 being energized will attact the armature 7 andthe armature 9 thereby swinging the adjacent latch 6 so as to releasethe catch 5. The gate 4 at the second floor may now be opened. When thearmature 9 was attracted the lever 10 to which it is secured was swungso as to separate the contact 12 from the contacts 13 and 14 atthesecond 1Hoor', thereby breaking themotor circuit.

The car 1 can not then be moved until the gate 4 has been closed and thecontact lever 10 has been released by magnet 8 and the adjacent armature7 has been again moved to the position shown in Fig. 1. For holding the2nd ioor latch 6 in the open posi tion until` the gate has again beenclosed I provide a plate 119 which is automatically moved by a spring120 to a Vposition holding the latch 6 open when the gate 4 is opened.

When the gate closes it forces the plate 119 to the original position,at ,which time a spring 121 will swin the latch 6 to the closed positionengaging the catch 5, providing the operator on the car 1 has removedhis foot from the lever 61 so as to open the circuit in.which themagnets 8 are located. Each locking mechanism is equipped as justdescribed.

From the foregoing it will be understood that in the regular operationof my invention, the gates can be opened lwhen the car is at a landingbut at no other time. Sometimes it becomes necessary to open a gate whenthe car is between landings, as when it becomes stalled for lack of oweror for any other reason. At such time it is desirable to be able to openthe nearest gate so as to liberate the passengers and operator.

Assuming that the car has become stalled .between the 2nd and thirdfloors in the relative position shown by the contacts 34 and 37, asviewed in Fig.`1, the operator on .the car o crates the ush button 56 onthe car,

.there y forcing t e contact 57 against contacts 58 and 59. Current willthen pass from generator 2 by brush 79, conductors 80 -and 98,resistance coil 97, conductor 96, winding 15, conductor 95, contacts58,l 57 and 59, conductors 118 and 77 and brush 78. The winding 15 beingenergized, t-he core 16 will be drawn therein, thus causing the contactplate 17 to strike contacts 18, 19, 20 and 21.' At the same time theplate 24 will be forced against the contacts 25 and 26. Current will nowpass from brush 79 through conductors 80, 98, 104, resistance coil 103,conductor 102 and contact 21 to contact plate 17 from which the currentwill ass through the differentmagnets 8 to con uctor 92 by the followingdescribed paths. Starting at plate 17 the current passes through contact19, conductors 99 and 108, 3rd floor4 magnet 8, conductors 111 and92,conta.cts 26, 24 and 25, conductors 94 and 77 and brush 78. Fromplate 17 the current will pass through contact 18, conductors 100 and109, second floor magnet 8, and conductor 112 to conductor 92, thence bythe path already described to brush 78 of the generator. From plate 17the current will pass through contact 20,- conductors 101 and 110, 1stfloor magnet 8 and conductor 113 to conductor 92,

- and thence as described to brush 78.

that when the push button 56 is operated all the magnets 8 will beenergized and the gates will all be unlocked, thus permitting1 theimprisoned passengers and operator to open the nearest or mostaccessible gate for the purpose oit egress from the car.

lt is otten desirable to operate the lar independently ot the gatelocking' mechanisms, that is without regard as to whether or not thecircuits through thecontacts 1L), 13 and 1st of the ditl'erent locking'mechanisms are open or closed. To do this the switch handle on the car 1is swung so as to separate the plates (35 and (36 ,trom the contacts 71and 72 and to brinrv said plates respectively in contact with thecontacts 73 and 74. This being donc the contacts 12, 13 and 14 at theditterent `floors will be in open circuit. The. current will now passfrom the brush T9 ot generator 2 to controller lever 53 by one or theother ot' the two paths already described which respectively include thecontacts 5t and From the lever .33 the current will pass by conductor7G, contact post (37, plate 65, contact T-, conductor 75, contact T4,plate (56, contact post 68, conductor 7T and brush 7S. '1`he car,maythus be operated freely without having` the opening or closing ot thegates atl'ect the motor circuit. )it the same time the operation of the,gate locking,` mechanisms is carried on in the normal manner,excepting' that the contacts 12, 13 and 14 being in open circuit themotor circuit is not controlled by the positions oit said contacts.

Many modifications of my invention,

within the scope of the appended claims may be made without departingfrom its spirit.

Having' thus described my invention, what 1 claim and desire to secureby Letters Patent, is:--

1. ln elevators, the combination with a carv` ot a motor in an electriccircuit. for operating' the car, gate locking means, electric means forcontrollingf the gate lo( :l\:in,,r means, means operative synchronouslywith the car for controlling); said electric means, means operativeindependently of said synchronously operative means for controlling theoperation of said electric means, and means controlled by the gatelockingr means for controlling the motor circuit.

2. In elevators. the combination with a car.4 ot a motor in an electriccircuit for operatingr the car, gate locking means, electric means forcontrolling` the grate locking' means, means operative synchronouslywith the car for controlling; said electric means, a switch in circuitwith said electric means, electromaenetic means controllingr the opera*tion of said switch independently ot said synchronously operative means.means carried by the car for controlling the operation ot saidelectromagnetic means, and means controlled by the gate locking means`for controlling the motor circuit.

3. In elevators, the combination with a ear, of a motor in an electriccircuit for operating the car, gate locking.;r means, electric means forcontrolling the gate locking means, meansoperativc synchronously withthe car for controlling' said electric means, a switch in circuit withsaid electric means, electromagnetic means for moving the switch to theclosed position, means for normally forcing' the switch to the openposition, a circuit closer on the car in circuit with theelectromagnetic means, and means controlled by the gate locking meansfor controlling the motor circuitr 4. In elevators, the combination witha ca r, ot a motor in an electric circuit for operatingthe car, gatelocking means, electric means 'for controlling the gate locking means,means operative synchronously With the car for controlling' saidelectric means, a switch in circuit with said electric means,electromagnetic means for moving the switch to the closed position, aspring for moving the switch to the open position, a circuit closer incircuit with said electroinagneticaneang and means controlled by thegrate locking means for controlling the motor circuit.

1n elevators, the combination with a car, ot' a motor in an electriccircuit for operating' the car, gate locking' means, electric means forcontrolling the gate lockingr means, means operative syl'ichronouslywith thev car for controlling.;n said electric means, a switch incircuit with said electric means, electromagnetic means for moving theswitch to the closed position, a spring for moving' the switch to the`open position, a circuit closer carried by the car and in circuit withsaid electromagnetic means, and means eoiitrolled by the gate lockingmeans for controlling the motor circuit.

G. ln elevators, the combination with a car, oit a motor in an electriccircuit for oper ating the car, 2g'ate locking means, -means controlledby the gate locking means for controllingl the motor circuit, and meansfor controlling the mot-or circuit independently of said locking means.

7. In elevators, the combination with a car, ot a motor in an electriccircuit for oper` ating the car, gate locking means, electric meanscontrolling the grate locking means, means controlled by the gatelocking means tor controlling the motor circuit, and means carried bythe car by which the motor eircuit may be controlled independently ofsaid circuit controlling,` means.

8. In elevators. the combination with a car, of a motor in an electriccircuit for oper` ating-the car, gate locking),f means. electric meanscontrolling the gate locking means, means controlled by the gate lockingmeans for controlling the motor circuit` and a name to this specicationin presence oi two switch carried by the car and in circuit withsubscribing Wltnesses. the motor and with said circuit controlling HENRYA HUMPHREY means for controllin the motor circuit 5 independently of saicircuit controlling Witnesses:

means. E. B. HOUSE,

In testimony whereof I have signed my CHESTER THOMAS.

